Nghe An parishioners donate nearly 100,000 square meters of land to build new rural areas

(Baonghean.vn) - That is the bright spot mentioned atThe 7th Congress of Catholics for National Construction and Defense in Nghe An province, term 2017 - 2022.

Panorama of the Congress of Vietnamese Catholic Delegates in Nghe An Province. Photo: Canh Nam - Chu Thanh

The Catholic community of Nghe An province currently has nearly 51,000 households, nearly 270,000 people, 13 dioceses, 91 parishes and 260 sub-dioceses, accounting for 8% of the population.

In recent years, the Catholic community in the province has actively responded to movements, including the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life in residential areas, live a good life and good religion".

Parishioners have donated nearly 99,142 square meters of land to build new rural areas, 31 parishes have been recognized as "Peaceful parishes without social evils", and humanitarian charity movements continue to be promoted.

Catholics in Bao Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) donate land to build new rural areas. Photo: Document

In their speeches at the congress, delegates who are typical Catholics shared many experiences in the work of building and defending the Fatherland. They emphasized solidarity and affirmed that only with solidarity can all tasks be carried out smoothly and successfully.

In his congratulatory speech to the congress, Father Tran Xuan Manh - Acting Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Bishops' Council praised the achievements of the Nghe An Catholic Community in recent times. The priest emphasized that before becoming a Catholic, each person is a citizen of the Vietnamese state, therefore having the responsibility to "live the gospel in the heart of the nation" according to the spirit of the 1980 General Letter of the Vietnam Bishops' Council.

Priest Tran Xuan Manh - Acting President of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee presented the painting to the Nghe An Catholic Solidarity Committee. Photo: Canh Nam - Chu Thanh

Speaking at the congress, comrade Le Xuan Dai informed about the socio-economic situation of Nghe An province and emphasized that the above achievements were due to the great contribution of the Nghe An Catholic Committee and the efforts of the Nghe An Catholic community.

He also frankly admitted that, in addition to the achievements, there are still limitations, including the rate of poor and near-poor households among Catholics being higher than the provincial average; the level of awareness, cultural enjoyment and social progress of the Catholic community in some localities is still limited; the care and attention to creating conditions for children to study is not regular.

Some places still violate the law in religious activities; being taken advantage of by bad guys, there have been activities affecting security and order, affecting solidarity in the community...

Comrade Le Xuan Dai called on Catholics in the province to continue promoting the tradition of patriotism, "living the gospel in the heart of the nation to serve the happiness of compatriots". Photo: Canh Nam - Chu Thanh

The Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee suggested that Party committees, authorities, departments, branches and organizations at all levels need to continue to promote propaganda and effectively implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and policies, especially those on religion; actively implement the policy of prioritizing training and fostering cadres who are Catholics; provide vocational training, create jobs, ensure social security, and ensure the legitimate religious needs of the people.

In addition, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested to continue promoting and improving the quality of patriotic emulation among Catholics; Catholics in the province should well implement the 1980 Joint Letter of the Vietnam Bishops' Council. At the same time, the Provincial Catholic Ethnic Council needs to continue to promote its role as both a typical social organization of Catholics and a common home for Catholics, a bridge between the Party, the government, the Fatherland Front, political organizations with dignitaries, officials and Catholics.

Comrade Le Xuan Dai called on Catholics in the province to continue promoting the tradition of patriotism, "living the gospel in the heart of the nation to serve the happiness of compatriots".

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee presented the banner of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee to the Provincial Committee for Religious Affairs of Nghe An province. Photo: Cam Nam - Chu Thanh

At the congress, delegates elected 62 members of the Provincial Committee of the Catholic Church and 12 delegates to attend the Central Congress. Priest Nguyen Dang Dien continues to hold the position of Chairman of the Provincial Committee of the Catholic Church for the 2017-2022 term.

Provincial leaders took a souvenir photo with the Catholic Solidarity Committee of Nghe An province, term VII, 2017 - 2022. Photo: Canh Nam - Chu Thanh

On this occasion, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee awarded certificates of merit to 1 collective and 1 individual; the People's Committee of Nghe An province awarded certificates of merit to 8 collectives and 29 individuals; the Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province awarded certificates of merit to 6 collectives and 21 individuals with outstanding achievements in building and defending the Fatherland.

PV Group